Since it was first set up just a few months ago, Nature Trust Malta, Gozo Section has already been active in its fair share of Wildlife Rescue calls. In total this section has responded to 47 calls to assist injured wildlife.

The Gozo Section explained that in the case of terrestrial wildlife these are attended to and rehabilitated by the Gozo volunteers themselves. Only in the case of turtles, where big tanks with sea water are required, are they transferred to Malta for rehabilitation.

Marvic Refalo, NTM Gozo Coordinator, while thanking people for their cooperation, remarked that “people are slowly getting to understand how important it is to call for wildlife rescues in Gozo, but this is not enough. There are for sure more cases which are not being reported.”Nature Trust carries out wildlife rescues under an ERA permit of all terrestrial and marine local wildlife except birds. This means that hedgehogs, chameleons, shrews, lizards, geckos, skinks, bats, the four local snake species, marine turtles and dolphins are all covered by the ERA permit since these animals are protected under the Maltese Law.

NTM Executive President Mr Vincent Attard said, “we are very happy and proud of our Gozo Volunteers as they are a bunch of very motivated and active volunteers always ready to help our local biodiversity.”

He went on to say that “this is promising for our future especially on our densely populated islands with limited green areas, especially natural ones, which are on the decline at a fast rate.”

Nature Trust Gozo section is also active in raising awareness among the younger generations on issues such as marine plastics, sustainability, wildlife and biodiversity their involvement in the EkoSkola, YRE, LEAF and GLOBE programmes.

Anyone finding injured wildlife is kindly asked to call on the Wildlife Emergency line +356 99999505.

Photos: Nature Trust Malta, Gozo Section

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